Date: Thu, 11 Mar 1999 From: "Long, Mike" Subject: SWEQSIG:3/30, Lessons From A Real Software Engineering Process Improvement Project (Updated) When: The last Tuesday of the month: March 30th, 7:30-9PM Where: Adaptec in Nashua, NH (Future sessions listed at the end) About the topic: Lessons From A Real Software Engineering Process Improvement Project Presenter: James McKim [James_McKim@compuserve.com] Abstract: This session looks at a real project to improve the software engineering process in an organization that supports several manufacturing lines of business in a $14 million company. It discusses the impetus for the project, obstacles to achieving the project goals and the techniques used to overcome those obstacles to achieve measurable process improvement. Speaker Bio ----------- James McKim is President/COO if ISRG, Inc., a management and information technology consulting firm. He has spent the last 15 years helping large and small companies world-wide develop and implement strategies to improve how their IT organizations support business functions in their development, purchasing, and roll-out of software and systems. Prior to his time consulting, he participated in and Project Managed the implementation of many types of systems from benefits tracking to order entry via the Internet to financial management to manufacturing scheduling. Mr. McKim's ground-breaking research on individual and team information usage maturity and the "Bottom Line" in the "Information Age" and his entertaining and "down to earth" delivery style make him a frequently requested presenter to corporations, Chambers of Commerce, and business/industry organizations. **** These seminars are FREE and we encourage your attendance. All presenters and coordinators are volunteers who appreciate your presence. ============================== Directions to Adaptec: http://www.swanh.org/engsig.htm#directions *********************************** Meetings are the last Tuesday of the month --- Future meetings: 4/27/99 Accurate Estimating and Scheduling using the Yellow Sticky Method Presenter: Steven R. Rakitin [srakitin@ma.ultranet.com] We have all worked on projects where the end date was given at the start of the project. When project teams are given unrealistic end dates at the start of a project, they are forced to develop the project schedule by "scheduling backwards. Most projects that are "scheduled backwards" miss delivery dates because: * Tasks are frequently estimated based on the time available rather than the time required * Interdependencies between tasks are usually not identified, and * All the unforeseen things that happen on projects (like people leaving, or getting sick, or taking vacation, trade shows etc.) are not factored into the schedule. Working on a project that has an unrealistic schedule can have a negative affect on morale, quality, and result in missed deadlines and unhappy customers. Many organizations have learned how to "schedule forwards" using an incredibly simple technique called the Yellow Sticky Method. In the UK, it's known as the 'Brown Paper Bag Affair'. At the April meeting, we will learn how this simple method works. After a brief presentation, the group will practice the technique by working together on a small "project" that doesn't have anything to do with software. Come prepared to work with your colleagues on this "project" and learn a technique that can help save your company time, money, and improve quality. Speaker Bio ----------- Steven R. Rakitin has 25 years experience as a software engineer and software quality manager in a broad range of industries including nuclear power, defense, computers, automated test equipment, telecommunications, medical instrumentation, and electronic design automation. He was one of the authors of the IEEE Standard for Software Quality Assurance Plans (IEEE-STD-730). He has written several papers on the subject of software quality and recently published a book titled: Software Verification & Validation: A Practitioner's Guide. He received a BSEE from Northeastern University and an MSCS from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He has earned certifications from the American Society for Quality (ASQ) as a Software Quality Engineer (CSQE) and Quality Auditor (CQA). He is a member of the IEEE Computer Society and the ASQ. He is on the Editorial Review Board for the new journal titled, "Software Quality Professional", to be published by ASQ in 1998. As Principal at Software Quality Consulting, he helps clients deliver Quality Software On Time. Further info can be found at http://www.swqual.com We are looking for presenters for May and beyond. If you know of a topic or presenter, please contact Mike Long --- Mike Long, QA Manager Adaptec's Nashua Technology Center mailto:mikey@ntc.adaptec.com, (603)579-4546